Ask! – What is an Alpha Sub?

What is the definition of an Alpha Sub? I’m new to BDM and believe it might apply to me.

There are a few possible answers to this question about the definition of alpha sub, so let’s take a look at each of them!

Alpha Sub in Leather Family/BDSM House

An alpha sub appears most often in leather families or other BDSM houses. The alpha sub is the ‘head submissive’ or the submissive with the most seniority and experience. Think of them as a Majordomo – they assist in the running of the household and instruct those they are in charge of. They don’t necessarily make decisions, they simply execute the will of their master(s).

But I’m totally dominant in real life…

More commonly, we see people who are new to BDSM claim the title of ‘alpha sub’ not to mean that they are the first or are the sub with the most responsibility in a group, but to hide insecurity.

Submissive doesn’t mean weak, timid, shy, etc. Most of the submissives I know are strong people who know who they are. They are often confident and sure of themselves. Sometimes they have jobs with great responsibility, are bosses or team leaders.

I see the term alpha sub a lot in FemDom circles. It makes me sad. Sad because ideas of toxic masculinity – “to be a real man, I need to be in charge” – are so ingrained in our society.

I have had some wonderful, strong, powerful men submit to me. It didn’t make them any less manly. Likewise, I’ve had some incredible, smart, wonderful ladies offer their submission and I’ve cherished it. I’ve also been lucky enough to have some folks on the trans spectrum and non-binary folks submit and you better believe that they were beautifully bad-ass in their own way too.

Don’t make the ‘alpha sub’ mistake

Most experienced kinksters will agree that new people declaring themselves an alpha sub is a red flag. To me, it says that the person isn’t comfortable with their submission and not ready for a D/s relationship with me. I’m not looking for someone that I have to fight for dominance (although bratting can be fun sometimes but that’s a different thing altogether). I want someone who knows what they want and who is comfortable with it.

While I’m unsure the reception that self-declared alpha subs get in M/f or M/m circles, I know they are generally ignored in F/m and F/f groups. At least until the chest thumping starts, which it often does.

Want to learn more about various roles in BDSM?
Check out my Youtube channel where we discuss this topic and many more!

Alternatives

If you feel that alpha sub describes you, ask yourself why?

Are you in charge during your normal life but submissive in BDSM or the bedroom? Congrats, you’re a submissive. BDSM identities only relate to BDSM or D/s relationships, they don’t describe your interactions with the vanilla world.

Do you like the idea of submitting but also like the idea of being in charge? You may be a switch! Switches can switch D/s roles or Top/bottom roles (in any combination, like Dominant/bottom). They may switch within their relationship with another switch, or they may take on different roles with different partners. Lots of possibilities to explore there.

Do you find bottoming activities attractive (getting spanked, pegged/anal sex, being tied up, etc) but don’t want to give up control or authority? You sound like a bottom – a person who enjoys the receptive side of BDSM play without power exchange. The complementary role it Top, a person who enjoys the active side of BDSM activities without power exchange.

Finally, do you desire a relationship where you are one submissive amongst many? Where you are in charge of the other submissives but follow the direction of a dominant or dominants? You may be an alpha sub.